CVT fuild change.....

What model year Prius?

Are you willing to do it yourself?

Do you have an independent mechanic you trust to do the work?

It is a fairly easy job but the 2001-03 has a slightly different process from the 2004-current. You might also consider having the coolant replaced but if they don't know how to change the transaxle oil, someone at their shop needs a 'clue by four.'

Bob Wilson

 

dipper, please fill out your car info. we need to know year and location... well.. we know you're in san jose.

i would try capital toyota. they have pretty a pretty good work force over there. no overfills

 

i need to get this done too... if i can ever find the instructions to it.. i'll do it myself.

after i get my oil change done ...... which i have the oil for and filter...

 

I'm is So Cal so I can't help you out with a mechanic. But the process is fairly simple. I have done it myself. Next June I will take pictures when I change it again. If you want to piece it together there are instructions with some pictures here.

Bottom line, there are two hex wrench nuts to open (high one first, ignore the hissing sound), bottom one dumps the fluid. Get a funnel with about 3 feet of tubing to put in exactly 4 quarts of the Prius special fluid--only available at the dealer. 2 dealer only washers.

I would rate is a little more difficult than an oil change. Good luck.

PS, from what I read here, you don't need to change it until 50,000 miles.

 

I suggest going immediately over to Luscious Garage
where Carolyn and the gang specialize in hybrids and can do this
stuff in their sleep.
.
_H*

 

And I suggest changing it, I had a dealership tell me that there was no need to change the transmission fluid in my wife's Beetle as Volkswagen has "lifetime transmission fluid". So much for that as the Tranny gave up on me in that car at only 85,000 miles.

 

Well, it sounds like 85K miles was the life of that transmission - so no problem!

Oh - you expected the transmission to last 150K miles or more? Never mind...

If you have 2G, you will need a 24 mm (or 15/16") socket to remove the fill plug, and a 10 mm hex key socket to remove the drain plug. Make sure that you do not remove the drain plug for the inverter/transaxle coolant by mistake.

The correct fluid to be used for 2G is Toyota ATF WS, which should cost ~$5 per quart.

 

And a reasonable dealer charge to do it for you is $90 (including 4 quarts of Type WS ATF).

JeffD

 

I'd like to add the one small advantage of do it yourself is time; that is when I change my fluid's in any car, I let it set over the drain pan until it stops dripping, within reason of course. My prius transaxle I waited 2 extra days, got maybe an extra quarter cup of fluid this way. So, if you can wait...Also, 4 quarts may be a tad much, was for me.

 

I did this fluid change too (at 65K on a 2006) with no problems, thanks to helpful tips on method, materials and tools from Patrick and Hobbit. The job took about 2 hours total (including the time to buy the 4 qts. of WS fluid and the two washers at the dealership at a total price of under $25).

 

Well done to all!

Bob Wilson

 

What's the rush?

Did anyone bother to read galaxie's stickie ?

 

Yes, this is an example of how it is possible for reasonable people to disagree on a particular subject. I have participated in used transaxle fluid testing and have come to the conclusion that it makes sense to periodically drain and replace the fluid to get excess iron, aluminum, and silicon particles out of the transaxle. This especially makes sense since it only costs me <$25 each time I do the fluid change on my 2004 (at 30K mile intervals).

Some owners are content to believe that the factory-fill transaxle fluid will do a good job for 100K miles; to those owners I say "peace".

 

For $25 per fluid change, it's no brainer. My car is near 22K miles and I will do my first CVT fluid change before 25K miles. I will continue the fluid change with 25-30K miles interval.

My cost is a bit higher as my local dealer want $6.25 per quart of WS Fluid.

 

Weird question... but what do you do with the used transmission fluid?

 

Not weird at all. My area has a household hazardous chemicals recycling center (near San Juan Capistrano), so that is where I take the used ATF. Check with the company that provides your household trash disposal service to see what's available in your area.

 

Thanks Patrick! We have a household hazardous waste center nearby. I just did not know if you took the fluid back to the dealer for recycling or not. I'm checking to see if my Trans. fluid was replaced at 60k service or not..if not, I'm at 78k.. so I'll be doing it myself.

 

The dealer might charge you for it.

Our local government accepts hazardous household waste for no charge at its landfill -- not to end up in the dump, but rather as a convenient dropoff point for residents.